Charlie Crist Urges Rick Scott Not To Appeal Gay Marriage Ruling

By
Carlos Santoscoy
Published:
August 30, 2014

Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist
on Friday called on Governor Rick Scott to do what's best for
Floridians and not appeal a recent federal judge's ruling striking
down Florida's ban on gay marriage.

Last week, U.S. District Judge Robert
Hinkle declared Florida's 2008 voter-approved constitutional
amendment excluding gay couples from marriage invalid. While
Hinkle's decision is the first to affect the entire state, it comes
after judges in four counties reached similar conclusions.

Without an appeal, Florida would become
the 20th state, in addition to the District of Columbia,
to allow gay couples to marry on September 22.

In an open letter to Scott, Crist, who
is campaigning for his old job, this time as a Democrat, called on
Scott to “declare the marriage ban finished.”

“Four years ago, a district court of
appeals ruled Florida's ban on gay and lesbian adoption
unconstitutional,” Crist wrote.

“When the ruling came down, I
believed it was my job as Governor to exercise the authority vested
in me by the people and our Constitution. The day the judge ruled, I
declared Florida's adoption ban over. Gay and lesbian parents began
adopting the children they loved immediately.”

“It is one of my proudest moments as
an elected official.”

“Last Thursday Federal District Judge
Robert Hinkle gave you the same chance to speak out for what is right
when, in a ruling that would apply statewide, he struck down
Florida's ban on same sex marriage. By declaring the marriage ban
finished you could discourage any future appeals and end the
nightmare that loving same sex couples all across our state endure
every single day, ending court battles that could drag on for months
or years.”

“Courts throughout Florida are
endorsing the principle that government ought not deprive an entire
class of citizens the right to marry simply because of whom they
love. Florida deserves a governor who will stand up for all of the
people of this state.”

“You have the power to end the
suffering of people like Arlene Goldberg. Last March, Arlene lost
her wife and partner of 47 years, Carol Goldwasser. At a moment of
enormous and understandable grief, Arlene had to suffer the
humiliation of not being listed as Carol’s wife on the death
certificate. Even worse, she lost her home because she was denied
the social security benefits they had earned.”

“When faced with a very similar
decision four years ago I did what I believed was best for Florida
and best for the thousands of children waiting to be adopted by
loving parents.”

“Today, I urge you to do what’s
best for Floridians and declare the State will not be challenging
Judge Hinkle's Order or any other orders supporting the rights of all
Floridians to marry.”